NFL all-time rushing TDs: Where Derrick Henry ranks on list and if Ravens star can break the record originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
It seems like Derrick Henry has been dodging Father Time for quite a while now. At age 32 and in Year 11, he’s shown no signs of slowing down with a two-touchdown first half in the Baltimore Ravens‘ season opener and another touchdown that came in the second half.
Advertisement
Along with having a stellar line heading into the halftime break, Henry pushed ahead to third all-time in the NFL’s rushing touchdown charts. Since 2018, the 6-foot-3, 252-pound back has tallied double-digit touchdowns; that trend seems like it will continue for the ninth campaign in a row.
Henry is vying to continue pushing ahead of some legendary names on the rushing charts, and there’s no reason why he can’t stand at the pinnacle of the statistic by the time he calls it quits.
Here’s where the Ravens RB ranks all-time in rushing TDs and when he could break the record.
NFL HQ:Live NFL scores | Updated NFL standings | Full NFL schedule
Advertisement
As of halftime on Sunday’s season opener for Baltimore, Henry already chalked two touchdowns up on the scoreboard, bringing his all-time total to a whopping 125 endzone visits throughout his career. The dual-scoring half brought him up to sole possession of the No. 3 spot on the all-time rankings.
He is the only active NFL player to rank inside the top 10 in the category.
MORE: How long is Myles Garrett out for the Los Angeles Rams?
On Sunday, Henry moved to third all-time in the NFL’s rushing touchdowns chart. Here’s who joins him in that top 10.
|
Rank
|
Player
|
Rushing TDs
|
|
1.
|
Emmitt Smith
|
164
|
|
2.
|
LaDainian Tomlinson
|
145
|
|
3.
|
Derrick Henry *
|
125
|
|
4.
|
Marcus Allen
|
123
|
|
5.
|
Adrian Peterson
|
120
|
|
6.
|
Walter Payton
|
110
|
|
7.
|
Jim Brown
|
106
|
|
8.
|
John Riggins
|
104
|
|
T9
|
Marshall Faulk
|
100
|
|
T9
|
Shaun Alexander
|
100
|
(* denotes active player)
Advertisement
The three-time Super Bowl champion and eight-time Pro Bowler stands alone with 164 rushing touchdowns throughout his illustrious career. No rusher has come close to Smith just yet, and he stands at least 19 endzone visits ahead of every other running back on this list. The Hall-of-Famer’s best campaign came in 1995, when he rushed for 1,773 yards and 25 touchdowns.
LaDainian Tomlinson had perhaps the most complete season as a rusher with 1,815 yards on the ground and a single-season record of 28 rushing TDs in 2006. The five-time Pro Bowler played four fewer seasons than Smith, but only stands 19 touchdowns behind the rushing touchdown king.
Advertisement
While Marcus Allen only finished with a double-digit rushing TD total in six of his 16 seasons, he is still near the top of the NFL’s all-time charts in the category. He began his career with 11 rushing touchdowns in his rookie season, and his first six NFL seasons brought five Pro Bowls and an MVP award. In 1985, he put up 1,759 rushing yards with 11 touchdowns on the ground.
The wheels eventually came off Adrian Peterson’s career as things drew to a close, but the first seven years of his career brought fruitful double-digit rushing touchdowns each season. During his MVP-winning season, he rushed for 2,097 yards and 11 RuTDs. He made seven Pro Bowls and currently holds the No. 5 spot in the all-time rushing yards chart (14,918).
Advertisement
At the moment, it is very possible that Henry can eventually break the all-time rushing touchdowns record in his career.
According to Spotrac, the running back is under contract until the 2028 season. He’ll become an unrestricted free agent after the 2027 season concludes. After this year’s Week 1, if he plays every game in 2026 and 2027, Henry must average 1.14 touchdowns per game to break Emmitt Smith’s all-time rushing TDs record.
Unless Henry scores another 40 rushing touchdowns in the 2026 campaign, which is virtually impossible, his best chance to break the rushing record with his current contract situation is next season. At the moment, Baltimore’s back is 39 end-zone trips away from tying Smith’s record and needs 40 to take the all-time rushing crown.
Advertisement
If he calls it quits after the 2027 season, when his contract expires, Henry must average 1.14 touchdowns to go atop the rushing TD charts (40 touchdowns across 35 games). This assumes he will play every game without injury.
